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Songs I Listen to While Revising

So, the past three weeks of my life have basically consisted of nothing but Spanish class and Cadence. It’s not always the most pleasant thing (revisions are barfy, Spanish homework is barfier), and I don’t think I’ve been this tired since high school (the fact that I’m only taking twelve credit hours this semester might have something to do with my general lack of tiredness up until this point). I think I’d be absolutely without-marbles at this point if it weren’t for how much music I’ve been listening to throughout the past few weeks. So, without further ado, Julia’s Revision Playlist.

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“Told You So” by Cassaddee Pope

This song has this really empowering effect on me. It makes me feel like I could do absolutely anything if I set my mind on it. The bridge is the best part.

If I had to find a song that summed up Cadence, it would be this one. Specifically this cover of it. Because as much as I love OneRepublic’s original, this slower version has a ton of great emotion in it that I love.

“Titanium” by David Guetta ft. Sia

I love how good a beat this song has to it. It makes me want to just get up and dance. Or revise ’til my fingers fall off. Either way I tend to injure myself. You know what? This song makes it worth it.

“Safe and Sound” by Taylor Swift ft. the Civil Wars

If I’m ever working on a softer, sadder scene, “Safe and Sound” is great for getting into that melancholy, sort of creepy-quiet-pretty mood.

“Eyes Open” by Taylor Swift

Yup, another one from the Hunger Games soundtrack. By Taylor Swift. What can I say? That album’s my jam (and I freaking love Taylor Swift). This song makes me feel really hopeful. Like I could do something amazing someday, if I just work hard enough at it. It’s been my sort of personal theme song for the past year.

“Skinny Love” by Bon Iver (cover by Birdy)

This song is so pretty and has a sort of oppressed-angry-confused-sad feel to the lyrics. I like to listen to it while working on introspective scenes.

“The Scientist” by Coldplay

Okay, let’s face the facts: I listen to a lot of Coldplay. But I’ve been especially feeling this song lately. And, because I am a totally sacrilegious person, I’ve also been listening to Glee’s cover of it a lot.

Ultimately, I love everything about Les Mis. If I only could listen to Les Mis for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t complain. So this is just one of many Les Mis songs I like to listen to while working. But I mean–come on, guys. It’s Eddie Redmayne. Let’s stop and concentrate on how gorgeous his interpretation of this song is, okay? And that’s why this is the Les Mis song that’s making it on the list.

“Empire State of Mind” by Alicia Keys

This song is so inspiring to listen to. Especially when I’m in the middle of counting down to a trip to New York City right now. During which I’ll be talking to literary agents and mixing with other aspiring authors and learning about writing as a craft and gosh. So much stuff, and this song just sums up all of it. 🙂

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There are obviously some other songs that I listen to also, but these are the main ones. Do you listen to music while you’re writing and/or revising? What kind of music? Are there any specific songs you’d suggest?

Make sure to watch out for Chapter Eleven of This Is a Book on Mel’s blog today!

10 thoughts on “Songs I Listen to While Revising”

i listen to safe and sound as well. i like your play list but i would like to recamend the writer by ellie goulding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-ru2glqXAg . best possible writing song. and her album lights is pretty good. i am lucky enough to have a friend who designed a mix tapes for my camp nanowrimo to match the mood. scores and classical are really helpful too.

thanks. i wanted to tell you that you have indirectly inspired two of my guy friends to nano which is so cool because if not for you i wouldn’t have known what it was and neither would they. over spring break we are all hanging out (the four of us) for at least one writers group. so thank you again for being inspirational

Haha I do listen to music when I revise (and also when I’m writing–I make different playlists for different novels, depending on genre/mood) but what ends up happening is I pick one song and then play it over and over again until I’m numb to the actual words. I helps me focus. I kind of just need noise to block out other sounds. Fast songs are preferable for revising because I tend to slog through my revisions 😉

That’s such a great idea–I get distracted by the words far too easily (I tend to start singing along, which tends to lead to me getting up and dancing around the room, which tends to lead to me injuring myself). I’ll have to try that sometime. 🙂

Whoever doesn’t like Les Mis must lead a miserable life. (Ha. I’m punny.)